The Thyroid

Post navigation

Often times I hear someone mention they know someone that has trouble losing weight because of their thyroid. I know there has to be more to the story than I’ve always known. This common comment sparked my interest on the role of our thyroid in nutrition and why people have troubles losing weight if they have thyroid problems.

Problems with one’s thyroid are often overlooked, but can quickly be the reason for some underlying issues. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, toxic adenomas, subacute thyroiditis, pituitary gland malfunctions, cancerous growth in thyroid glands, Hashimoto’s disease and/or Graves’ disease are all related and associated with the thyroid.

Let’s go start from square one. The thyroid is a ductless gland that secretes triodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone. These hormones delivery energy to cells, regulate growth and development through rate of metabolism. It is located in the lower part of one’s neck. The thyroid gland is a crucial key to the metabolic processes.

Benign problems are goiters, which are enlarged glands. If left untreated, it can lead to life threatening issues, such as cancer. Many people suffer from abnormal production of thyroid hormones.

Potential problems with one’s thyroid:

Goiter: enlarged thyroid; caused by deficiency of iodine and/or over or under production of T3 and T4

Thyroid nodules: lumps in thyroid gland

Hypothyroidism: under active thyroid; if there’s an under active thyroid at a young age, it can lead to cretinism–mental retardation and stunted growth; Most infants’ thyroids are routinely checked

Water: sufficient amount of water intake is important for one’s overall health and metabolism; can reduce appetite; reduce bloating and water retention; improve digestion and elimination and alleviate constipation

One can’t argue the susceptibility of one’s thyroid to many diseases. The state of one’s thyroid impacts almost every other organ in the body. It’s critical to not only take a proactive approach to monitor your body’s “tell tale” signs, but to know the signs and symptoms one should be on the lookout for.